Denis

Today I had the remarkable Denis in the studio for a Golden age session. He is 97 years old & still as sharp as a tack. He uses his walker to walk to his daughter's home to visit (about1/2 a kilometre away) He immediately admired the antique chairs in my studio & the fabric upholstery they had. He has macular degeneration & holes in his vision but can still see a lot of detail.

Denis was born in June,1928 in Maida Vale, West London, England

He grew up in Kenton London where he had a happy childhood. His family (Mum,Dad and elder sister) were very social people and many a party was held at their home. Den remembers fondly that his Dad would go to invite the neighbours to the party and would return with a piano (and the neighbour who played) to add to the fun. Den was responsible for changing the records until the invention of a five record drop down system.

Den was eleven when WW11 began, his Dad worked as a railway guard and his Mum cleaned houses.

He continued to go to school at Kenton Middlesex, riding his bike each day and remembers jumping into the kerbs and ditches when a buzz bomb was heard overhead. His family home was affected as a bomb screamed then dropped into a nearby disused treatment works and exploded, they were lucky as it blew out windows and their front door, houses around them were demolished and lives were lost.

Den was sent away to the country for safety, but still witnessed from the attic window, aircraft engaged in dogfights over the nearby coast.

Den left school at 14 years of age and began an apprenticeship at Mayfair Carriage Company, where he was directed into upholstery and motor trimming. However, because of the war, Den’s job was to strip out luxury cars that were taken from their owners to have the backs cut off them and be remodeled as Rescue Vehicles and Ambulances.

This meant that he learned firsthand how these beautiful cars were constructed and with a kind but exacting boss to guide him, it held him in good stead to create interiors in the future.

Den remembers Street Parties at the end of the war, reflecting on learning to dance with his Mum, a memory he holds dear.

Den was drafted for National Service when he turned 18 years old just after the war ended.

After initial training he was assigned to maintenance where he completed his apprenticeship repairing canopies etc for the army trucks etc.

Den was 21 when he met Irene, and they loved to attend Dances. Den remembers with fondness his trips with Mum on his motorbike.

They married and had four children.

Den continued in the Motor Car Trade, working his way up through motor trimming, to Experimental Design where he brought the ideas for car seats and interiors to life, gauging their design and suitability for new models of cars.

In 1967, Den and Irene packed up their family and emigrated to Australia, leaving their families behind and starting a new adventure with more opportunities for his children. They flew to Australia, making 7 stops on the flight over due to the duration. They were later joined by his wife’s family about a year later. The resided in Baulkham Hills when they first arrived,

Den applied at Leyland Australia and spent more time in design, working on the P76. After Leyland closed down in the early seventies, Den continued in upholstery, in his own small business, where he worked mainly with furniture and sometimes helped in restoring the interiors of vintage sports cars before retiring. He also taught upholstery at community college in the 80’s

After 72 years of marriage, Irene sadly passed away October 2023.

Den is proud Grandfather to 13 and Great Grandfather to 27 and now enjoys spending time with his family.

He currently lives in Bupa aged care.

Lorraine & Walter

I was fortunate to capture this beautiful duo as part of my Golden age project. Husband & wife Walter & Lorraine Smith. After a disastrous wedding day almost 60 years ago, I really wanted them to capture some new memories together. Lorraine wasn't sure about wearing one of my dresses, but she looked amazing in the pink gown.

Walter Raymond Smith – 11th December 1942 A born innovator.
Born at Royal Hospital for Women at Paddington NSW and grew up in Guildford. He went to Old Guildford Public School and Fairfield Boys High School. His father was a Plumber, and mother was an invisible mender for David Jones until she married and had to retire to raise a family. He has one sister (Barbara) who is 2 years younger.
In 1959, at age 17, he joined the 1st/15th NSW Lancers at Parramatta. He completed all the courses and resigned in 1975 as a Sargent. During this time he specialized in Intelligence. He also broke his ankle in a tank when the turret was traversed whilst his foot was in the turret well. He still has the screws in his ankle. He just missed out by 1 ballot in going to Vietnam.
From the age of 16-23yrs old, he worked at the Masters Office of Protective Jurisdiction at North Sydney. The equivalent of this is now the Trustee and Guardianship. Whilst working here he studied with the Barristers Admission Board (back then a way to become a Barrister without being a Lawyer first) until he met Lorraine and started selling land part time for extra money.
He sold the first land subdivision in Lemon Tree Passage, the company he worked for would fly people up to Lemon Tree Passage in a seaplane from Sydney. He also purchased a block of land (John Parade) a street back from the water and together with his father built an “A” frame house which is still there today. The queen's birthday long weekend in 1968 Walter and Phis father had just got the A Frames up for the frame of the house when a rain/windstorm came through and started to knock them down, so that they were leaning over. So they went out in the storm and climbed 20 feet off the deck, which was already approximately 8 feet from the ground, so nearly 30ft in the air to secure the 2 frames together to stop them from falling.
In January 1966, Lorraine & Walter married in a heatwave at St Johns Church of England Church, North Parramatta. Lorraine's mother had been in hospital for 3 weeks prior and was allowed out for the day. During the service, a groomsman (Lorraine's brother) feinted, Lorraine's father had a heart attack and her sister collapsed. The heater was accidentally put on in the church instead of fans and people were suffering from heat stroke. The police were called to escort the fallen to hospital. To add to this prior to the wedding their booked wedding reception venue burnt down. They are now coming up 60 years married after a disastrous wedding day.
During 1967/68 He designed and manufactured the first cartridge pen for marking. (Similar to a sharpie). Unfortunately, this great idea was not viable due to the cost of trademarks and copywrites. We grew up with boxes upon boxes of red, green, yellow, purple, orange and black markers.
He started air-conditioning around 1968, and airconditioned the first ABC outdoor broadcast van around 1974.
He's had several businesses over the time.
His most successful was building Garden Sheds. He was the first one in Sydney to supply sheds manufactured and delivered as completed sides rather than flat packs. The business was thriving and he sought advice from a government small business organisation. They put him onto an advertising company and accountant. The advertising agency stated in writing that they would double the business, and promptly changed the way of advertising, wouldn’t listen to Lorraine & Walter and sales declined dramatically. They went back to their original way of advertising weekly in the local papers and sales increased. In the meantime, the Government appointed Accountant decided he was going back to New Zealand and sold his company to a big organisation in Melbourne. They deemed Lorraine & Walter were only a little business and not worth their trouble, so they liquidated the business. They had no say or input into the matter. Leaving Lorraine & Walter with a lot of debt that they worked hard to pay off by selling assets. Prior to seeking advice purely because they were making so much money, they didn’t know what to do. They were literally rolling in cash on the bed!!! Walter said he felt like Scrooge McDuck because he was diving into a pool of money. Lorraine used to wear wads of cash around her legs in her boots. Sadly, it all came to an end due to inexperience and extremely bad supposed expert advice.
He and a couple of mates (Garret Barry & Bob Rielly) started the Historical Society Museum in Riverstone in the early 1980’s. Their aim was to achieve a museum in 1988 to store their goodies and preserve the history of Riverstone and NSW. They instigated the O’Connell County Fair with Irene Reilly to raise funds for the future museum. This involved the whole town in re-enactments, period balls and parades. They used to travel the countryside buying items for the museum with many stories around that. They raised enough money to qualify from NSW Government Bicentennial Grant which they won. Blacktown Council then, purchased the old original Riverstone School House in Garfield Road East, Riverstone from the Masonic Lodge and rented it to the Historical Society for $1 per year for 99 years. The Museum opened in 1988.
There were many adventures to purchase and obtain relics for the Museum. One such adventure - Garret (History master at Riverstone High School) received news of a farm sale past Gundagai, he seconded Walter to drive his delivery truck down with Lorraine and Garret on a very wet Saturday for the Auction. There were no bidding cards, you only registered your name. Garret was happily bidding with gay abandon on items in the pouring rain not keeping a record of his purchases. Trucks and Vans were not permitted to remove the items on the Saturday and had to come back on the Sunday due to the boggy conditions. Lorraine & Walter had booked with his sister Barbara and her husband Robert, a cruise on the Hawesbury River that night thinking they would be back in time (they had clothes with them), that wasn’t going to happen. They had to find accommodation locally. They got to the motel, Lorraine had to help Garret string a clothes lineup in his hotel room to dry his underwear and clothes. They got back to the site on the Sunday morning, Walter and Garret were loading the truck with what they thought they had purchased. They loaded the truck with a Sulky. It was piled up on the very top of an overloaded truck Then a lady turned up and said they had loaded her Sulky. So they had to unload the sulky from the top of the truck. There are a few other stories about this adventure.
He was a long time member of the Riverstone Chamber of Commerce for approximately 10 years. He has been on the Sister City committee for Blacktown Council since its inception 40 years ago. He was on the selection committee at times for the Blacktown Youth Ambassadors.
In 2013 he was elected as a councillor on Blacktown Council when he was 71, he even parasailed off the side of the council building for Domestic Violence awareness. During his time on council, he helped many Riverstone locals with council issues and was highly regarded. He was still helping people once he left council using his contacts.
Around 1986, he became a member of Riverstone & Districts Lions Club Inc. His life's mission has been helping others. He’s held various positions – President 3 times, Treasurer for approximately 20 years at times. He is now a director of the club. There has been many thousands of sausages grilled, BBQ’s set up, Blacktown Festivals. For 8 years Lorraine & Walter were responsible for the Blacktown City Australia Day BBQ at Featherdale Wildlife Park where they served breakfast to 2000 people at a time. It was their responsibility to organise the local Lions Clubs to help serve, organise the shopping, set up/pack down. It was a huge job. The whole family was involved in Lions Club activities as they grew up and then Emmy the grand daughter and daghter Natalie with the Australia Day BBQ’s.
Walter finally retired from work in 2016. He’s still involved in the Lions Club and attends some functions with Blacktown Council. He loves doing jigsaw puzzles and playing on his excavator.
There are many many stories to tell…… property purchases. The land they used to own at Kempsey is now the Slim Dusty Museum.
They bought a property in Wyee in 2015 moved in 2019.

Lorraine Florence Smith – 7th September, 1944
Born in Lurnea Private Hospital, Leichhardt, her father was a fitter and turner, and her mother was a home maker, and a foster mum to 3 other children.
She grew up in Five Dock until she was 11 and then the family moved to Lavinnia Street Granville (Merrylands). She is one of 7 children (Ellen, Peter, Margaret, Ronnie, Lorraine, Robert and Albert). Her mother worked as a cleaner for approximately 30 years at the Convent at Concord and the Brothers at Burwood. Her father, was the first person in Australia to have the valves and arteries replaced in his heart with pig valves and arteries at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital with Mr Harry Windsor when Lorraine was 17 or 18.
She went to school at St Mary’s Concord. She told her first class teacher when she was asked where her shoes were “that if God had meant her to have shoes, she would have been bored(sic)(born) with them on her feet!” That Nun told stories to Lorraine's Mother at the Nun’s 50th anniversary about her antics.
Her first job was at Walton’s in the City at 14 and 10 months when she was allowed to leave school. She got the job before telling her parents that she wasn’t going to school the following Monday.
Her next job was working for a Jeweller in the Strand Arcade deliverying Diamonds and Gems all around Sydney. Next was with a Japanese Import/Export Agent delivering Wool Cheques around Sydney and working the switchboard. She then worked for the public service in Vocational Guidance as a typist until she left work to have Natalie in 1969.
She met Walter in 1962 on a street corner outside the Sydney Blood Bank in York Street. Her friend organised for them to be picked up for the trip home from work and it was Walter who picked them up on the corner. She went home and told her Mother that she thought she had met the man she was going to marry because she’d met a man with really clean shoes. Little did she know his mother cleaned his shoes for him!!
They got married in 1966.
She has had 3 girls – Natalie in January 1969, Adrienne in September (on her birthday) 1973 and Meaghan in 1975. They were all born at Royal Paddington Women’s Hospital.
She's worked with Walter the whole duration of their marriage. Lorraine had 2 nervous breakdowns, due to stress from Walter's business. During one of them the local Dr told her to go and sit at the Riverstone Taxi Rank and talk to anyone who sat there. He reasoned that, they would go home and not give her another thought, yet she would get everything off her mind and be able to continue. Lorraine did this and said it helped no end. At one point when business was a struggle, Walter's mum used to sell Avon to keep the family fed and clothed.
Lorraine was the first woman in Riverstone Lions Club to become a Lion when Lions allowed Women to join, until this time she was classed as a “Lions Lady”. She's held all sorts of positions within lions including Zone Chairman 5 or 6 times. Secretary and President, too many times to count. Lorraine & Walter were on the Committee for the Lions Children's Cancer Research Institute where they helped to raise Millions of Dollars. They started the Ride to Riverstone Bike Ride with the reformatting of the Lions Children’s Cancer Foundation. The ride ran for 5 years and offered rides of 100km, 50km and 20km followed by a lunch and raffles at the end of each ride. Over the time they raised over $100K . It would take a full 12 months to organise each ride. It went through 4 LGA police regions. The majority of the work for the ride was down to Walter, Lorraine and Natalie. The ride only ceased operations after someone was killed on another charity’s bike ride and the Police clamped down and restrictions became just about impossible to continue the rides
Just prior to retirement she worked for Kincare as customer relations officer and receptionist. She was there for 5 years and retired on her 70th Birthday.
Since retirement they have done a few trips to New Zealand, a trip to Japan for Walter, They have been to America, Korea, United Kingdom, Ireland and last year China and Korea with Blacktown Council. Where Lorraine got to experience VIP treatment in a Chinese Hospital.
Lorraine lives for her 4 Grand children Em, Flynn, Cooper and Morgan, her 2 Great Grand children Phelan and Darcy and her cat Gus. She likes reading, gardening, and attending her regular craft days. She loves going to Musicals and life in general. She’s always up for a party and to socialise. The glass is always half full never half empty.
Behind all Walter's achievements, the ups and some very low downs, Lorraine has been the one to hold it all together, plus raise 3 girls. Behind every successful Man is a great woman

Fay

Today I met the lovely Fay for a Golden age portrait session. She was very impressed with the greenhouse & complimented it many times during the session. While her long term memory is still great it's the short term she struggles with. However she doesn't for one minute forget her adorable great granddaughter Vada. We had to hide her away during some of the pics so I could get Fay's attention back to the camera.

Patricia Fay Kennedy (goes by Fay) born 16/6/1942 was born at Scone Hospital. She is the 2nd eldest child of 7. Two of which passed away as babies. Fay’s father held many jobs over the years and her mother was a stay at home mum. Fay is Aboriginal (Kamilaroi) but her mother never admitted it in public as she feared her or her children being taken away. Only as a mother did Fay acknowledge her Aboriginality but still didn’t celebrated it until many years after her mother’s passing. In Fay’s family she is the only sibling who is fair skinned with red hair.

Fay lived in the town of Aberdeen on a large block and the family were self-sufficient. She attended Aberdeen Public School and Muswellbrook High School finished 15, where she played competition softball. She had a very difficult childhood and lived with her grandparents for awhile, but does remember a lot of fun times with her cousins.

Fays first job was as a meat packer at the Aberdeen Abattoir. She was pushing meat through a little window into the shop section one day when she saw a handsome man with a gold tooth shining. This man Ronald Kennedy (who was living in a tent outside of town working on the railway) later became Fay’s husband in 1959. They moved around following Ron’s work and promotions with the railway. Their first child Greg was born in 1962 at Werris Creek and after moving around some more they settled at Wyoming where their second child Karen was born in 1965. Ron and Fay separated in 1970 though they stayed friends for their children. Fay continued to raise Greg and Karen on her own.

Fays other jobs included a line worker with Albany felt, a pineapple and pharmacy plant. She managed a BBQ chicken and take away shop. When her children were young, she was one of the few female postal workers to deliver. She delivered mail around Matcham, she used to take her children with her while she was delivering the mail.

Fay had breast cancer in 1983 which resulted in a mastectomy and removal of her lymph nodes. She had to take medical retirement due to continual lymphedema.

Fay cared for her mother for many years until she had to be put into a nursing home. Fay continued visiting her mother daily and volunteering around the nursing home painting the resident's nails etc which they loved.

In her early 20s Fay played tennis which got very competitive. Later she became very crafty with sewing, painting, cake decorating, folk art. She also enjoyed coin and stamp collecting.

Fay's son Greg took her on her only overseas trip. In 2010, he took her and his niece to Disneyland in Los Angeles. Her daughter went also and Fay remembers sitting looking at the statue of Walt Disney holding Mickey Mouses hand and bursting into tears as she couldn’t believe she was on this trip with her family as her family is her life.

Fay was living with her daughter and son in law for many years as she was diagnosed with Dementia and Alzheimer’s but after spending time in hospital after several seizures and strokes the hospital suggested with this and her dementia that she should go into aged care which has been hard on both her and the family.

She now lives in a home at Norah head

Fay has 2 children, 3 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. I met her Granddaughter Chantae when I did her pregnancy shoot and her daughter Vada’s newborn shoot. Fay not only has the pleasure of 4 direct generations for girls but they also have her middle name of Fay. Fay’s daughter is Karen Faye, Karen’s daughter is Chantae Fae and Chantae’s daughter is Vada Fae. Vada is pictured alongside Fay in some of these images. A special memory of her namesake.

Caroline

Today I captured a Golden age session for beautiful Caroline. Her wonderful Granddaughter drove her a very long way & stayed overnight to bring her along for her session. Caroline is just amazing, her hands have been crippled by arthritis, but she still knits!

Caroline Bernice Franklin was born on the 3rd of January, 1938, in Enmore, New South Wales. The eldest of three daughters, she grew up alongside her younger sisters, Lorraine and Suzanne. Her parents, Otto and Elsie Franklin, worked hard to provide for their family — Otto as a dedicated railway worker and Elsie as a talented children’s wear sewer.

Caroline’s childhood was spent first in Marrickville, a bustling inner suburb of Sydney, before the family moved to Greenacre. She attended Bankstown Primary School and later completed her intermediate certificate at Bankstown Girls’ High School. From an early age, Caroline showed a creative streak and a warm, caring nature that would stay with her throughout her life.

Caroline met her future husband Douglas at age 16 (he was her boss) & married the love of her life, In 1959, at the age of 21, Douglas William Clarke, at Campsie. Doug worked for Coles and later for Woolworths as a buyer. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and plenty of moving boxes — the couple relocated thirteen times before eventually settling at Jettys By The Lake in Windang, where they found their forever home.

Caroline and Doug raised two children: Ian Franklin Clarke, born in 1960, and Dianne Clarke, born in 1963. Caroline devoted herself to her family while also building a career in retail. Her natural eye for beauty and her love of home and garden inspired her to open her own shop with Dianne, where they sold homewares and plants — a perfect reflection of her creativity and nurturing spirit.

Sadly, Caroline’s beloved Doug passed away on the 28th of January, 2013, after a battle with melanoma. It started on his shoulder & was only the size of a match stick Caroline said, but upon completing a full body scan they found it also in his kidney, which he had removed. Unfortunately, it also spread to his brain & he passed away within the year of his initial diagnosis. His loss was deeply felt, but Caroline continued to honour his memory through family, friendship, and her many passions.

Today, Caroline is the proud grandmother of five grandchildren — Christal (her storyteller), Courtney, Troy, Mitchell, and Chanelle — and the great-grandmother of nine (soon to be ten!) great-grandchildren: Charlotte, Aiden, Peyton, Riley, Hudson, Louie, Meadow, Allison, and Carter, with another little one on the way.

Caroline’s hands have rarely been idle; she is known for her love of sewing, knitting, macramé, and gardening. Her creativity continues to thrive at Jettys By The Lake, where she leads the Girls Shed, bringing together women in her community to share laughter, stories, and crafts. With a glass of scotch in hand and a warm smile, Caroline remains the heart of her family and community — a woman whose kindness, resilience, and creativity have touched generations.

Barbara

Today I captured a Golden age session for the beautiful Barbara. I recently met Babs at a family photo session I was capturing, & I suggested she come back for a Golden age session.
I also recently did newborn photos for her great granddaughter Calais, & since she came along today, I grabbed a couple of pics of them together, as well as Coco the chihuahua who was just dying to sit on the gorgeous custom skirt Tarese Estelle recently made me for these sessions.
Babs had already documented a lot of her life & ancestry in a wonderful book. I captured some of the pages to add in along with her story.
Barbara was born 13/ 11/1942, she was born in an ambulance travelling from Ellalong, to a Cessnock House, run by a Nursing Sister. Ambulance officer did not know how to cut the cord etc.
So, Barbara was born born blue. Doctors thought their might have been complications because of the rough birth, so they had a conditional baptism for her in case she did not survive.
She was the middle child of 5, 3 brothers, 1 sister. She said they had a great childhood, a large yard which attracted kids in the neighbourhood for us to play hide & seek, & baseball,

Barbara said her father was a slaughterman killing bulls, cows, & sheep for local butchers. Her mother did not work but in her single life she was a seamstress. She made all of their clothes, including school uniforms. It was a happy home, full of laughter. One of her brothers was born deaf due to her mum having German measles whilst pregnant, so had to be sent to a boarding school for the deaf. Children with any kind of impairment or disability were sent away in those days.
Babs went to St Patrick’s in Cessnock & was schooled by the nuns. She recalls getting the cane for talking too much.
Hight school was at the Dominican convent Maitland taught by nuns again. She was Prefect in senior year, left school at 15. She was successful in obtaining a job as a telephonist at the local G.P.O known as the General Post Office. Shift work, but only 7 hour shifts. There were about 20 staff & 2 monitors, 1 supervisor. They had 1800 landline owners to cater for.

She met future Husband Bob through a blind date in 1961. They were married in September 1964, at St Joseph’s church in Cessnock having married a soldier in the royal Australian regiment, they gained an army house with very little rent in Singleton. Their son was born 12 months later, who was an enormous delight. Eventually, they were posted to Sydney. When her son started school, she scored a job, working in a huge factory, packing pharmaceuticals. Her boss desired married women who had children at school, because he knew we would be reliable, & do a great job. When her husband went to Vietnam she stayed behind in Redfern from 1965-1968.
Barbara was destined to only have 1 child, due to problems, that forced me to have a total hysterectomy 6 years later. The doctor removed a tumour the size of a football!

Babs had many jobs during her married life, Target warehouse pricing items, then sewing seatbelts at a factory. After that, G. I.O government insurance office in the legal section as receptionist.
In 1972-74 the army posted the family to Singapore. What a life!!

They had an amah, shoe boy, & a gardener. Their son started his 2nd year of school, & made many friends, including the amah’s kids who were Malaysian.
After the post ended, they bought a house which belonged to Bob's mum in Willoughby. Their marriage broke up in 1979,
Babs moved back to Cessnock & could buy a house of her own with the settlement.
In 1981 she walked into Cessnock hospital to apply for a domestic job, and instead they offered her a nursing role (enrolled nurse) She had to study as well as work & felt very out of place as she was starting this new career at almost 40.
She did go on to win an award for best nurse in her unit.
They wore the stockings the hat and blue uniform. Their qualifications were judged & on display by the bands they got which were added onto the hats,
Babs was a nurse for the rest of her career. she retired at 58 years due to injuries. Frozen shoulders had a big fall on the stairs at work.( pic included of this horror fall) & ended up with Protruding discs.
She did meals on wheels for a while after that, then took up Bowling for a hobby. eventually needing a hip replacement. She then volunteered to do office work for a local radio station, and she ended up being on air. She ran a segment on Country and western music taking requests etc from listeners for 6 years.

Eventually when her son married, he & his wife had 2 beautiful children & she was thrilled to babysit at any time. There was 13 months difference in age, so they often had time at the local parks, did imitation leadlight which was scattered on mirrors, windows & a lot of fun. My grandson loved hitting a ballon with my home made bats, made of old coathangers & old nylon stockings. It was great fun & 56 year old nan was first to tire!

Then when her granddaughter had a boy, she was blessed with a great grandson. He was an absolute delight, they played with car tracks, did rock painting, chalkboard drawing, & riding his first pushbike, & scooter. Then, Calais was born recently & she is looking forward to more fun times, when she's a little older,
Bab's says, looking back on my life I am very lucky. Travelled to Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, & cruises to New Zealand, Tasmania, The Islands. I have represented & won Green & Gold blazer in Australian darts.
Also played lawn bowls at state level.
Since her sporting days are over, she now loves crafting to keep busy, as well as to crochet, knit and diamond dot for entertainment.

Viv

Today I had the pleasure of capturing Cooranbong local Viv.
I first met Viv when I ran into a friend of mine (Kel) at the local shops. Kelly is known for being a bit of a shit stirrer & that days she was pretending she was Viv's carer.. she linked arms with her & said "come on Viv let me help you get back to the car" Viv responded by breaking free of Kel's grip & saying "oh F... off Kelly you are not my carer" I just thought it was so funny.. Viv like me is also an avid op shopper. So I made her setup with lots of treasures I have collected, & an amazing pitcher & basin I was recently gifted.

Vivienne Lee Fox born March 1944 in Yass Nsw at their home, then taken to hospital in a suitcase for her checkup!
She has one sister

Her Father was in World War 2 in the Airforce. her mother stayed at home with the children while they were infants & then at the local service station owned by Viv's Grandfather in Yass.

They lived on a property owned by her grandparents as a child. Her father was still away at the war.
They went from Yass to Sydney when she was around 4. Her father got a shop in Balgowlah (small supermarket) both her parents worked there.
Viv went to school Seaforth her parents split not long after. Her dad lived in Sydney, & she would fly to see her dad once a year.
In the Mid 1950s Viv's mum and aunt bought a grocery shop in Mossman and Viv went to Mossman school, she then moved to her grandparents in Sydney for a short time then off to Canberra to live with her aunt and uncle.

Viv didn't stay there long, then went back to her grandparents and attended Manly west school. Lived there at Balgowlah heights for 4-5 years. She attended Manly home science school to learn house duties like making beds, cooking, cleaning and typing.

At about 14 Viv learnt ballroom dancing at Balgowlah with her sister.
Her Mother married Fred when Viv was 16 & they lived at Narabeen
She worked in her stepfathers clothing factory at Brookvale learning to sew etc.
Viv went to art school for 3 years, in an old jail building in Darlinghurst, she went into various art studios around Sydney over the years the last one being John Sands the card and gift wrap place. Viv designed them for them & her artwork adorned the cards.
While working in the factory she met Bill they married 1966 in Beacon Hill, where they brought a block of land and built a house.

They had two children Karen born in 1976 and Jason in 1971
Viv returned to work after having the children, times were tough. They bought a wine bar in 1973 in Woolloomooloo ( the building in the photos) called Sorens Australian wine bar. She could only sell Australian wine there. they had that for around 7 years & she worked there with her husband.
In the 80s they sold the wine bar and got a divorce, Viv stayed on with the new owners at the bar an helped out for a few years.

She then worked at Martins topless bar in the restaurant,
Viv said there was a lot of prostitution happening in around the area she parked near “the wall” where the male adolescent prostitutes stood trying to get business as she felt she was safe among them.
In her time, she also worked at. Royal prince Alfred yacht club. Royal motor yacht club, Collaroy services beach club, Coffee shops in Balgowlah and Seaforth
Viv moved on to ceramic design and teaching at Newport

Viv met her current partner John on the beach at Scott’s head while she believes she was topless bathing in 1999, & in 2000 they moved to Cooranbong.
Viv looked after both her stepfather and stepmother in their old age. She then needed a break.

Viv has 5 grandchildren. She loves sewing, crafts, painting, finding treasure at the opshops, cooking, & reading.
She makes some beautiful crafts like jewellery, paint vintage suitcases, & she also made dolls, and they were sold to help raise money for breast cancer.

Marie

Todays Golden age session is of the amazing Marie. Her granddaughter had let me know that Marie always felt a special connection to horses, & interacting with them even though she didn't get many opportunities to do so. So, the wonderful Jane & Rob floated Destiny to the farm so that Marie could have some photos & pats with her.

Marie told me that it had been the most wonderful time & that the shoot had really made her day. She had initially been a little reserved upon arrival, but she was modelling like a pro by the end & loved dressing up.

Her order OAM (order of Australia medal) is something she is so incredibly proud of. She also wore the necklace Barney gave her to wear at their wedding. Which I absolutely loved.

Marie Therese Ross

Marie was born March 31st 1933, in Sydney. Her mum Teresa was from Ireland and was 16 when she came to Australia with her sister. They were orphans, both parents had passed, and they were

living with their 3 brothers. A priest encouraged them to leave for Australia, so eventually they did.

They met their older sister Clare who was a nun in Sydney. Teresa got a job at Wentworth Hotel, which is where she met Marie’s father Albert, originally from Queensland.

Teresa continued to work at the Wentworth Hotel doing domestic work, and Albert was a wharf labourer in Sydney. Teresa was 36 years old when Marie was born in 1933.

They lived in Lavender Bay (Sydney) for a long time but moved around a lot. Marie has fond memories of going to Luna Park and the swimming pool with her mum, where she would buy her fresh

honeycomb.

Marie was raised in a very religious, Catholic home. She and her mum never missed mass.

Things were tough, and they were poor, as this was during the depression. Her father was an alcoholic, which made life very hard for her and her mum. Marie had a difficult relationship with

him, and she and her mum left multiple times.

During her school life, she learned to sing and play the piano. She has wonderful memories with her mum Teresa, whom she was very close to.

Marie describes her as a wonderful person who taught her to sew and knit and was her constant companion. Teresa did her best to provide her with everything she could, even though

things were so difficult with Albert.

Marie spent her younger years playing piano, sewing, making her own clothes, and helping her mum tailor clothes for other people. In the school holidays, she would work at ‘Farmers’ department store, at the button counter. At the age of 16, she left school and won a scholarship to the Cathedral Business College, where she learnt shorthand typing. After a year, she became a secretary.

When she was 16, her mum encouraged her to join the local Catholic youth group, which she loved. 2 years later, she met Barney. Barney was a country boy, born in Tamworth, and would help out at the youth group while working as a truck driver. One day, Barney was teaching a square-dancing class there. He asked Marie to join in, and the rest is history!

Barney began to see her home from youth group and from her work in the city. Their first date was going to the pictures. In 1953, when Marie was 20, they got married. 5 years later, and after two miscarriages, they were blessed with 3 children. She always dreamt of being a mum and always says Barney was an amazing husband and father.

In 1973, she and Barney found themselves wanting another baby but weren’t going to have another of their own, so they began looking into adoption. They first started as a remand home and did this for some time, until beginning short-term fostering.

Barney was working as product manager at the time, and Marie was home with the children.

They fostered young children and babies for many years, from all walks of life. Sometimes they’d have two babies at a time, or a baby would leave in the morning, and another would come that afternoon. Every baby became part of the family, and goodbyes were always hard.

Marie and Barney ended up adopting 2 of the babies they fostered during this time.

In November of 1999, Marie and Bear were awarded an OAM (The Order of Australia Medal) for all their work in foster care. This was a huge achievement and a momentous occasion for everyone. They also received certificates over the years from the council for their incredible work with fostering.

Marie was a foster carer for 48 years and has fostered around 200 babies. It was her purpose in

life, and she loved it deeply.

Not long after receiving the OAM her husband sadly passed away in January 2000.

In 2007, she discovered a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She had a mastectomy, four rounds of chemo, and lost all her hair and eyebrows. She was fostering a baby through it all and was crocheting a blue shawl for this baby as soon as she woke from surgery.

She feels incredibly lucky and grateful, and thanks god and her doctors every day for saving her

life.

In 2021, at the age of 88, Marie had a horrific car accident that forced her to stop fostering. She would’ve continued for as long as she could if it wasn’t for this unfortunate event.

Today, Marie spends her time reading (usually a good murder mystery), sewing, and knitting clothes for her grandkids. You’ll often find her at the hairdresser’s, which is also like a social and

book club for her! She still has a great network of friends, most of them known through foster care.

She is blessed with 10 grandkids and 14 great-grandkids, whom she feels extremely lucky

to have.

And to think that she was an only child! All the foster babies she has had over the years feel like family too, and she still keeps in contact with a lot of them.

Marie has touched so many lives, helped so many children, and has had a truly incredible life

May

Today is the beautiful May's 90th birthday!
Some of her family secretly arranged this Golden Age session & made the drive to Forster to collect her & bring her to the farm in May for me to capture her. Then they surprised the rest of the family with her photos at her party on the weekend.
I absolutely love seeing a family member being valued & honoured like this. May is surrounded with so much love & admiration.

May Doreen Kennedy ( formerly Bradford ) born at Lismore base hospital on July 21st 1935
She had 4 siblings 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Sadly, one of the brothers has passed.
Their Parents both worked in hospital at Coraki for a time, but everyday life was on their dairy farm. the children were required to help milk the cows twice a day, so they completed morning duties before school. May remembers riding the horses daily, after milking. They rode 1/2 a mile to pick up the bread and ice for the ice chest to keep the food cold for the day.
May considers herself fortunate to have felt very loved and had a great childhood.
Her hobbies included playing some tennis at a friend's house. May attended Blakebrook school where her uncle was the teacher.
She recalled being at school during the war and being able to hear the planes overhead. The school had trenches dug around the grounds which the children were directed to hide in during the flyovers.
She then Went to Lismore high school, obtaining an Intermediate certificate and leaving at 15 years.
Her first job was at McLeans showroom in Lismore as a salesperson. It was a clothing store.
She met her husband at 17 when he asked her to dance at the Goolmangai hall.
They Married when she was 19 at St Andrew’s church Lismore 18th September 1954
After they married, they moved to a share farm in Rosebank which was owned by his parents
She was taught to drive by her husband in Morris minor.
They Had their first child when May was 20, this was followed by 3 more children over the years they had 2 boys and 2 girls under 5 years.
After 8 years they moved off the farm to Coraki
May did some work at the hospital cleaning, including the matrons hut, and as a seamstress
They bought a caravan and travelled for 2.5 years with 4 kids. They spent some time on the Gold Coast her husband put in a lot of the canals for the waterfront living.
Her husband eventually ended up working in Gosford area then bought in Woy Woy for 30 years.
In 1993, May suffered a terrible Injury to her hand while holding a Koppers log her husband was sawing through. She had lost her index finger and thumb, luckily, they were able to reattach the thumb. May said she had to learn how to bowl left handed as it was one of her pastimes.
After around 32 years they moved to Forster, as they had Friends that lived there. Sadly, May lost her husband in 2000 due to a gangrene infection which had originally been caused due to dialysis complications.
In 2010 May met Alf at lawn bowls, and they struck up a wonderful companionship. They still maintained residence separately, but travelled together. He sadly passed away late last year from Cancer at almost 97 years old.
May still lives in her own home
She does get some help with maintenance but otherwise is very self sufficient. She still drives herself over to the raffles at Sports club at Tuncurry once a week, and is the longest serving member in the Forster travel club
May is extremely proud of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She has 14 wonderful grandchildren, and 24 great grandchildren who she loves and considers herself very lucky to have.

Anne Andrews

Yesterday I met the beautiful Anne, who had travelled all the way from Beaudesert with two of her daughters for this shoot. She was only told the night before about the real reason for their road trip, so was a little anxious about what to expect. She certainly warmed up to the idea though & even posed for some more glamorous images in one of my dresses outside.

Anne Lorraine Andrews (née Robbie)
Born: 17th June 1949
St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW
Anne had two siblings 1 sister, & 1 brother
Her Father was a foundry worker for many years as a mould maker.
He later worked as Dispatch Manager/Driver at Pascol Paints Warehouse.
Anne's mother was a Tailoress at Evers & Cohen, Sydney.
She also worked in a department store, as a meat packer, and making ceramic fittings.

As a child Anne lived in a 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom fibro house in Sans Souci that belonged to her paternal grandmother – she had a very happy and safe childhood.
They lived with 'Gram' until she was 87. She passed away May 1976.
After attending school locally, she went to Moorefield girls high school. She was involved in Physical Education (ages 8–12), Netball (11–12), Tennis (12–15).
They didn’t have a house phone until she was about 15. No TV until she was 10.
They had no car until she was 12 – Anne says what we didn’t have, we didn’t miss.
They spent a lot of their summers at the beach – and watching St George play footy during winter. And watching her brother play soccer. Anne learned to crochet from grandmother and to sew from mother.
Anne used to work in the school holidays at the corner grocery store at age 14.
She left school just before her 16th birthday to join the Public Service in 1965 as a comptometrist typist. It was a 5-year contract. It was a rule you had to leave when you got married as they didn't want pregnancy & having children to affect the investment they had made into your training.

After a Contiki tour of New Zealand, she met Michael on the cruise ship 'Achille Lauro' returning from Wellington to Sydney (3-night cruise – 11 March 1969).
They married 30 January 1971 at St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Sans Souci. Anne made her own wedding dress.
They moved to Melbourne when Michael got a transfer for National Mutual Insurance Co.
Anne continued working in 1974 as a Key Punch Operator in Melbourne for Sigma Pharmaceuticals.
The couple went on to have 3 children. Anne was 25 when she had her first.
In 1976 they moved to Cairns. Anne worked night packing, & sold Avon,
Other roles included a Librarian for TAFE, Canegrowers admin officer. She also worked for the Commonwealth Bank, & Bendigo Bank.
To work at the bank, you had to sit mathematical tests to show your competency.
She was also a medical receptionist – Auxillary Firefighter in Babinda.. She also worked in a plant nursery while her husband worked at timber mill.

Sadly, her Husbands sister passed away and was a single mother so for a time they took on her two sons 6 and 2.

Anne's career and contributions further included,
working in office roles for national cash registers as an Instructor. Dewar Distributors liquor supplies in accounts .
She worked at Babinda hospital as a domestic, and for an insurance agent as the receptionist.
She also helped out with Meals on Wheels, volunteered for Storytime at the library, helped run school tuck-shops. & was a girl guide leader.
She always wanted to become part of the community so volunteered to Interact.

They moved to Beaudesert in 2018

Anne loves bowls, line dancing, and crafts she is a member of the yarn bobbers and they decorate the town for Christmas. She also makes raggedy Ann dolls to raise money for the hospital .
10 years ago, Anne's younger brother sadly passed away.
Her parents were married 70 years, both since have passed away. They were on the news for their milestone anniversary

Anne had travelled extensively. At 58 she was involved in a hot air balloon incident in turkey when strong winds affected their flight & an emergency landing was necessary. They were dragged along in the basket until they could come to a stop. The places she has travelled to are Helsinki, Monaco, New Zealand, Turkey, Italy, Greece, France, Scotland, Wales, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Spain, Canary Islands, England, Ireland, America, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, Croatia, Georgia, I had Armenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Russia, Finland, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Japan, China, Malaysia, Borneo, Vietnam, Mexico, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Maldives, India.

Anne still hopes for World Peace, and that she will not to be forgotten.
Her advice is, don’t waste a minute of your time.
Relax – enjoy your life.
Take all that you are given as a gift.
Respect others.
She has 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Patricia

Yesterday I had the beautiful Patricia in my greenhouse for a Golden age portrait. Patricia's memory is not what it once was, so her daughters helped capture her story.
Patricia Fay Hilton was born
29/7/1935 in Kalgoorlie to Mavis & Edward (Teddy ) Trenholme .
Her siblings were Kevin, Teddy, Richard, Ray, Kerry & Joyce .

Her dearly loved dad was tragically killed while Motorcycle Track riding (a memorial ride is still held in his name to this day) .
Sadly, life changed for the worse, at this time , with her mother becoming an alcoholic & unkind mother, and Kerry dying of Leukaemia.
The family eventually moved to Abermain.
Patricia left home at around 15 , found a guardian angel in Molly & Jack Scott , who gave her a job at a milk bar at Kurri , but it broke her heart to leave her siblings. Patricia for a time moved to Newcastle and worked at another milk bar owned by Molly & Jack.
Soon after, Patricia met her soulmate, John Hilton , who had the biggest heart in the world .
Being a jack of all trades plus a hard working underground miner, John built a house, room by room, and all the siblings moved in, at given times , but she raised 3 old sister Joyce as their own .
Patricia & John had 3 children of their own John 1954 , Debbie 1956, & Lynne 1957 .
Life was tough, but happiness & work ethics were instilled in everyone & they never felt poor.
Patricia went on to work at Bradmill textile company Katie’s dress shop.
Patricia's children were 8, 9 & 12 when their Aunt Joyce moved out & got married. The boys & their families never forgot what Patricia & John did for them. Patricia & John bought the house next door for her younger brother, to have a home of his own, when he lost his way, and was very lonely. In his last years , he had the family & love he didn’t have as a youngster.

As life ticked by, the family always had laughter, love and friends. The children had good schooling, memorable caravanning holidays & felt special that their home was always open for friends.
Late in life, John still excelled & become a mines inspector as well as building, repairing & maintaining the house & mum became a supervisor too.
Following the strong work ethics, all of their children embarked on successful lives & careers and Patricia & John, travelled a lot, which they thoroughly deserved.
Once their 8 grandchildren were born, most holidays were finished & they became devoted grandparents, being involved as much as they could. Always there to lend a hand, babysit & once again, teach that love and laughter were everything.
Then the great grandchildren arrived and completely stole their hearts, as they we retired, their life revolved around there 16 great grandchildren.
On 13/1/20 all their hearts were broken when dad passed due to heart issues
Patricia's daughters said their Dad would have been so proud of mum, as she leant to change a light globe, cook breakfast & grocery shop.
But their hearts were broken and things never remained the same, as the pool and gardens & home slowly become too much for Patricia to manage .
These days Patricia lives at Mt Carmel Nursing Home. She is super friendly to everyone she meets, a social butterfly & loves her bling.
She loves posing for pics with everyone …. Because she’s so young.

Shirley

Today's Golden age session is of the very lively Shirley Anne Bartholomew. Shirley is under 80, so her loved ones booked her in for a session so she could still tell her story. (Under 80 year olds can participate for a small fee)

A couple of firsts for me today.. when Shirley arrived, a rainbow hung in the sky, so I quickly ushered her over for a shot while it was still in sight. Shirley is also, as far as I am aware, my first tattooed Golden age session participant. She has two on her wrists, & one in a place I cannot show... although she did get brave & show me where it was at the end of our session haha

Born13th Feb 1950 at St Leonard’s in Sydney.

She was one of 4 children. With only herself & her brother remaining.

Shirley grew up in Narraweena,

They lived in a Fibro house that her dad built as he was a builder. Shirley classed herself fortunate as the older siblings had to live in tents & a shed while her Dad built the house, room by room. The house was complete by the time she had to move in.

Her mother was a stay at home Mum. She recalls her cooking over an open fire for all their meals.

Shirley went to school at Narraweena, then French's Forest high school then Gosford Highschool,

She left school at age 16 & got her first job at Suzie Q clothes store in Gosford. Shirley said her Father was always full of great ideas, but not great with money.

He used the double block he had purchased to farm the spare land next to the house. They lived next door to chickadee chickens. Her father decided to raise chickens as well. She also recalls him catching wild pigs & raising them for meat to feed the family.

Shirl helped her father with the family chicken business in Lisarow, including killing and cleaning chickens.

As I was listening to her story, she had a memory of her dad singing a song to her.. a Tex Morton song called" black sheep of the family" she said it wasn't that he had a great voice, but the song still bring her comfort & so many warm memories of her childhood.

She also has a very fond memory on the chicken farm where she accidentally let a chicken go after beheading it and running around headless... Here I was horrified at the thought, & Shirl sat chuckling to herself at her Dad telling her off for mucking about & not getting the killing done properly.

Another of Shirl's great childhood memories was of her Aunt Bettie visiting them from America.

Shirley was married at 18 and moved to Townsville as her Husband was in the Army. From Townsville she moved to Singapore. They had their first daughter by that stage & she was around 7 months old when they moved overseas.. Shirls son was born in Singapore during their stay.

They then then moved to Wacol, then Toowoomba then Townsville then Holsworthy then Wagga then Adelaide. All due to being in the army they were moved every 2 years. Brenda was born in 1976 in Townsville, & Leanne in 1978 in Liverpool Sydney.

After 20 years of marriage, Shirley got divorced and moved to the Central Coast.

Shirley described her first Husband as chauvinist who wouldn't allow her to work. After her first marriage ended, she later worked in the kitchen at North Gosford private hospital.

Shirley married second time in 1991 to a man named Merv who was twenty years her senior. Because he was retiring, he also didn't want Shirley to work, so she could spend her days with him.

They were in the process of separating when Shirley found he had passed away in the bedroom after a battle with cancer. Shirl faced financial difficulties when he passed away as there was no widows pension available to her.

The house had to be sold as his son was also part of the inheritance & she moved to Kanwal.

Shirl said she wouldn't waste her time on another marriage as they are nothing but a hassle..

Shirley loved travelling to America when able to see her relatives. She has been to America four times. She worked as a House Cleaner for a few years where she saved her money to travel.

She had a stroke in 2001, & a heart attack in April this year!

She thought she had indigestion. The doctor did an ECG & it came back fine, but after he sent for blood tests, he called her at home to confirm she'd had a heart attack, and he had called an ambulance to come & collect her. She was most annoyed as she had another America flight planned & the heart attack stopped her being able to go.. but she already has plans to travel again as soon as she is able.

Shirl enjoys sewing, quilting, and traveling to visit family. She also enjoys orchid growing.

Shirl told me her Mum passed away just shy of her 99th birthday. & her Dad passed away at 88. She also lost 3 loved ones all in the same year to cancer. Which was very hard on her heart.

Her mum passed 12 years to the day of her dads passing.

Shirley now lives in Gwandalan with her daughter.

She has 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild who she is yet to meet as she lives on the Gold Coast.

Christine

Today I captured the wonderful Christine Julianne Litzenberger
Born 5-4-1942
Christine's place of birth was Mramorak a village in Serbia
She had one older brother Erich 31/07/1939
Both her parents were farmers, farming wheat, grapes, vegetables, poultry, & meat. They owed their own farm in Mramorak which was self-sufficient.
Her father had to leave to go to the war in 1938, her mum was left at the farm. That all changed when one night the Serbian soldiers came overnight, and thousands of people had to leave with what they had on your back. They chased you off the land, and you had to hide wherever they could. Christine remembers hiding in drains by the roadside & seeing armed soldiers standing overhead.

They were starving and had to try and escape to another farm through the drains. They were welcomed by another nearby farm & hid for a year.
They were stripped us of all self-belongings jewellery, personal items etc. I asked Christine how she managed to still have so many of her photos from her childhood. She said the small town she grew up in was a community, & special items were hidden amongst them, & kept safe by the towns folk. Sometimes they even hid items in their hair.

Christine was put in a concentration camp at Rudolfsgnad (Serbia now called Knicanin) they were held in a train like a cattle train, if you fell out of the train. too bad you were left behind they didn’t care. She said they were packed in like sardines.
Christine recalled being starved as there was no food. Her mother snuck a few sunflower seeds, just so they had something to put into their bellies.
She told me about the day her Mum had tried to smuggle a corn cob in for them. Hiding it in her dress. She was caught & severely beaten for trying to sneak food in. She was locked up into a prison type area as punishment.

Her mum and dad were separated for 10 years due to the war as he was a soldier for Germany and he fought in the German war between 1937 - until the war was over.
Christine, her mum, and brother had to get papers to be allowed to leave Yugoslavia. To go to Germany we had to first go to another concentration camp for a couple of weeks to get health checks done in Austria (biding)and then we were able to migrate to Germany ( Munich) where my father was.
Her parents got to reunite on 20/10/1951. They had papers for the 3 of them (her mother, brother & herself) but not her Nan and she remembers screaming the whole 2-day trip saying “ my nan had to be left behind” the woman who had done everything for us. Her nan did finally get to migrate in 1952. Finally her papers had been finalised!
She remembers it was snowing as they arrived on the main Munich train station, so a friend picked us all pf them up in a van and drove the to her Father's house.

Christine finished school on the 26th of July 1956 and started working on the 1/08/1956 as a shop assistant when she was 14. It was at Landsham in Munich. It was a general store which sold everything from shoelaces & food to other supplies
Christine said, my teacher helped me get this job as jobs were very hard to get.

She met Otto, her future Husband in the shop she worked in, he tapped on the window one morning to buy some cigarettes. She said she didn’t like smokers, but he was too good looking to refuse
They got married on 6/05/1961 in Feldkirchen.

Christine said, was the love of her life, and forever will be! He was the hardest working man. A very good provider. He was like a steam train to achieve all of his goals.
They had their daughter Ingrid Moser on 20/10/1962 in Munich.
She worked all through her pregnancy at a factory making clothes right up until she was born.
She returned to work after 6 weeks of having Ingrid, and her Nan watched her so they could work to pay to provide everything.

We made the decision to leave Germany and move to Australia. They left Germany on 17/02/1968.
It was Impossible to buy land in Germany, and Australia had much more opportunity. The dream was to build a house & have a pool. Christine said she was homesick for 13 years. They initially moved to Chester Hill.
Otto was driving dangerous goods trucks. Christine worked in a shirt factory. She said she has had 65 jobs in her life in Australia including Revlon & Cerebos. She said jobs often required you to be a certain height to complete tasks, or have a certain skill, so she had to change jobs often. They built their family home in Prospect Sydney.
She has now lived in the same home for 48 years.
Otto became ill but hid how unwell he really was.
Christine recalled the day they found out he had pancreatic cancer he was at the hospital & had his trademark harmonica in his pocket as always. She remembers him playing 'Happy Birthday' to a patient, even though he had just found out the devastating diagnosis. Otto sadly died in 2016 aged 75 years.

Christine has 3 grandkids, great grandkids she has 10 right now, with another one coming in June this year!

These days she enjoys cooking, making cheese and butters. And tending to her garden.
She said she now enjoys cleaning the pool - which she never used to as this was Otto’s job when he was with us but now, I have to do it, so I take pride in keeping it cleaner than he did. She also said it keeps her moving & fit.
She enjoys her family, seeing the kids and grandkids, they keep her young at heart!
She enjoys being able to live a free life! She said, I wasn’t always able to, so it’s something I will never take for granted.
Last year Christine travelled between Munich & Ibiza over some weeks to catch up with her brother & family still overseas.

Christine

Today's Golden Age portrait is a story I could hardly believe as I was hearing it even though I have known this family for many years..
Christine is pictured in some of the images with her Great granddaughter Aurora. I included Aurora in these important images as she has had an intense battle with childhood cancer. It is so amazing to see her looking so well again after the harrowing journey she has been through from such a young age.

Christine (Chrissy) Donahue, born in November 1949 in Coonamble NSW to a single mother. Christine's Mother essentially left town to avoid him being disowned by his family.
They moved to lithgow Nsw until chrissy was 10 years old, during that time her mother married Kevin Taylor and her younger sister (Patty) was born.
In June 1959 the family moved to Narrabri NSW.

Christine's stepfather worked on the railway and was a decorated serviceman having been one of rats of Tobruk in the second world war. Chrissy does not have fond memories of her stepfather.
Chrissy learned that her biological father was of Lebanese descent and a well-known doctor. He had gone on to marry and had 4 children, Sadly, none of whom were interested in meeting Christine.
*In 2020 Chrissy finally got her chance to meet her father when she went to the nursing home he had been put in at age 92. She sat with him for 2 hours. It was the only opportunity she ever got.

Chrissy met her future sister in-law (Pam Donahue) at Narrabri high in first form. she has fond memories growing up with Pam’s brothers & sister spending most of their time on the river banks of the Namoi River under the willow. Going to the pictures and rolling Jaffas down the aisle was quite the treat.
Pam’s brother Peter, and Chrissy became boyfriend and girlfriend when she was 14 and he was 15. Chrissy left high school in 3rd form and Peter was rarely at school learning, his love of horses meant he spent most of his time training to be an apprentice Jockey. He was a great Horseman who broke in many horses in the region.
Chrissy's first job after leaving school was looking after a families children out in the bush near Bingara. Christine and Peter had their first child not long after.
Due to Christine only being 16 when she fell pregnant, she was sent away Royal women’s Hospital Paddington
Unfortunately, due to the times they lived in their baby boy Gary was taken and adopted out without her even meeting him.
*25 years later he came back into their life with a child of his own. Gary passed away 12 months after meeting them.

Peter and Chrissy’s love continued to grow despite the heartbreak of their first child being taken from them. Their daughter Cindy was born in 1966 then they got married in 1967
Chrissy was still underage so had to get her grandfather to give permission for them to marry.
Christine and Peter went back to Narrabri and Peter worked as a timber cutter in the days before chainsaws. He used horses and an axe. Their second son Matthew arrived in 1968
Christine and Peter & their two very young children then moved to Plagens forest and lived in a tiny wood caravan and tent deep in the bush with no running water or power, just a creek.
Peter worked and Chrissy stayed alone with the children. She faced many hardships in this harsh environment but lived the quiet serenity of isolation.
They moved to Maules creek 40 miles out of Narrabri, where Christine became pregnant with her 4th child Kellie. During the pregnancy her son Mathew was 2 years old and drank nicotine-based insecticide and Chrissy had to run 2 miles neighbours house to get medical assistance with Mathew hanging over her back and Cindy following with the poison bottle.
Not long after this incident was the 1971 Narrabri flood which left the family stranded with no food or contact with the outside world.

Peter left his family to swim in the raging flood waters 40 miles to get help. Amazingly he survived and managed to get his family and others emergency help. Christine's 4th child Kellie was born and the family moved to back to Narrabri to get work and Peter went to Sydney, and then moved the family, where he worked many different fields.
Christine found living in the city confronting with 3 small children. So, Peter found work in the timber mill in Oberon NSW and moved his family.
Matthew tragically passed away in a car accident at 16yrs old in Oberon.
Her Husband Peter passed in 2019 of metastatic bone cancer at 70 years after 52 years of marriage.
In 2020 Cindy sadly passed away from cancer in 2020 at 53 years of age leaving behind a husband and, 3 kids and 5 grandchildren.

Chrissy still lives in the family home today with her great grandson Sam. Her time over the years in Oberon has been spent raising her children, two foster children Donna and Jason. She worked in home care and child minding and still babysits her great grandchildren, something she enjoys immensely.
The family home is 100 years old and large. She loves to fill it with people.
Christine & her youngest daughter Kellie are very close and enjoy each other's company often. Kellie has 3 children and 9 grandchildren. Today Christine enjoys gardening but fibromyalgia makes this difficult. Her chickens, 2 French bulldogs & her family are most important to her in life.
Her faith as one of Jehovah witnesses have helped carry her through the many trials of her life. Now her joy comes mostly from her 7 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and many very supportive friends.

Jeannette

My 65th Golden age portrait today! The lovely Jeannette who just loved the greenhouse & all my plants.

Jeannette Ann was born on June 24, 1943, on the North Shore of Sydney, and was named after the famous singer Jeanette MacDonald. Her parents had met whilst her mother was working at a chocolate shop in Rockdale, and her father was working in the building next door..

As the eldest child, she grew up in a family with two younger siblings, a brother and a sister. Her father worked hard during World War II, and she was born while he was away. He worked building at an ammunition factory.

The family moved to Willoughby, where Jeannette attended Chatswood school. When they moved to Peakhurst, her father built their house room by room. Jeannette finished her education at 15 years old at Peakhurst high school. Throughout her youth, she took on many responsibilities at home, helping with cooking, cleaning, and gardening. After leaving school she worked for Sydney rescue works, as a typist.

Then Secretary for Central Casting Station office which was in the entertainment industry.

She also worked for Allen’s sweets.

At 17 and a half, she met her future husband at church. The connection was immediate,

they became engaged when she was 19, marrying at 21. Jeannette’s wedding dress formerly belonged to a competition dancer and was a dress she had worn for a competition. They were married at Riverwood Baptist Church, where they had first met. Her husband’s sister was one of Jeannette's closest friends.

The couple lived in Mortdale for a while before building a house in Milpera. Jeannette recalled the house and land package costing them $5000.

At 23, Jeannette gave birth to her first child, a son named Craig, Then, in 1970, Jeannette gave birth to a daughter, Leanne. Leanne struggled with colic and sleep difficulties, but Jeannette navigated those challenging early years with perseverance and sone help from the neighbours.

Over the years, Jeannette worked various jobs, including working in sandwich shops, cleaning, and gardening ( which she won awards for) Despite the busy work life, she never obtained a driver's license. She relied on public transport to get from place to place.

Her husband worked for a health food business as a store manager. In 1999, the family sold their home and moved to Bonnells Bay.

Jeannette’s husband was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, which he fought for some time before passing away 20 years ago.

He had already survived a heart attack at 32 and two open heart surgeries. He is remembered fondly for being a hands-on Dad, and hard worker. They loved going to musicals and the theatre together. He also painted the fairy wren which features in one of my images.

Six years after his death, Jeannette’s daughter, Leanne, moved in with her to provide care and support. Leanne became her main caregiver. Jeannette’s son now lives in Taree, and she is proud to have three granddaughters.

Jeannette enjoys spending time going on outings to cafés going to the club and attending shows and musicals. She is a proud member of the United Providence of Australia and continues to live with a positive and lively spirit, embracing life to the fullest despite the challenges she has faced.

Jeannette is known for her love of hats, earrings and accessories. She had something to match the dress I gave her to wear and loves putting an outfit together.

Pat & Luca

How simply magical is this..

Just over 12 months ago, I took a portrait of the amazing Pat holding her great, great grandson Finn.. Pat was aged 101 at the time.

As fate would have it, Pat became a great, great grandmother again in February to baby Luca.

She is now 102 years old, & I really didn't think she would be up to having a new portrait captured with Luca. But she surprised us all by agreeing to come along to my Fable Farm - Shannon Smith greenhouse Lake Macquarie to create this beautiful legacy image for her family. This was her first time meeting Luca, they had waited until I was there to capture the pics.

Such an incredible moment to witness.

Pat still moans at me & complains about the pics. but I know secretly she loves the outing & that her family still value her as their Matriarch

Patricia (Molly)

Today's Golden age story if for Patricia Ann (Molly) who was born on April 25th, 1945 (turning 80 next month) at Paddington Hospital Bondi, on the day that marked the end of World War II.

Her father, who had been serving in the war was injured, & after returning was sent to Darwin to work on trucks. Which is where he met Molly's Mother.
(He went on to live to be 100 years old.. sadly, her Mother died at age 50 of a heart attack.)

Molly had an older sister named Shirley, & later she had younger siblings Johnny & Julie. The family lived in a modest two-bedroom housing commission house in Granville, where they made the best of their space and circumstances.
Molly told me quite a fascinating story about her older sister Shirley.. many years after she passed away. Shirley's daughter was contacted by a match from a DNA profile wanting to reconnect. It turned out that Molly's Mum was already pregnant when she met their Father, & Shirley wasn't biologically her Fathers child.
She died never knowing that secret or meeting her real father.

Molly attended Catholic school at Trongate and later moved with her family to Regents Park, where they had a three-bedroom home. At 14, Patricia worked in a milk bar after school as her first job. While working at the milk bar, her future husband saw her and declared that he would marry her one day. She knew her future husband from school, but she wasn’t fond of him. Yet fate had other plans, & they started dating when she was 15. They went on their first date to the Easter Show, on the condition Patricia was returned in time for midnight mass. Molly was engaged at 17 years. At 18, they married at St. Peter’s Church, with a shared future ahead of them.

Patricia after leaving school pursued shorthand and typing lessons, hoping to create a better future for herself.
The couple went on to have three children. Michelle, born when Molly was 21, followed by Danny at 28, and Shann at 29.

As the children grew older, Molly returned to work when Shann was 3, taking on factory work while her husband worked as a Gyprocker after initially being a wharf laborer. Molly worked for Rothmans cigarettes and later for 3M. They rented a house at Letheridge Park before purchasing a home in St. Claire. Throughout her life, Patricia found joy in creating, whether it was sewing or making costumes for Michelle, who danced, or supporting Shann in her sports and Danny in his love for soccer. Life continued to evolve, and they moved to Berkeley Vale. A home in San Remo was jointly purchased with Shann so they had a home base to return to during their travels. They bought a caravan in readiness for the adventures ahead. A week after retiring her Husband discovered he had cancer which put a halt to their plans. He sadly passed away 5 years ago.

Patricia now has nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild, a testament to the legacy of love and family she has built. Life has had its challenges for Patricia, including kidney issues that led to dialysis 10 years ago, but she has remained strong and resilient, facing each obstacle with determination.
In recent years, Patricia has become an active member of two social clubs: the Probus Club and the Over 55’s club. She enjoys bus trips, coffee dates, and concerts with her friends. She also has Tilly, a beloved Cavoodle dog who brings joy and companionship into her life.
Though her husband passed away five years ago, Patricia continues to live a life full of love, family, and cherished memories. Through the ups and downs, she remains a symbol of perseverance, strength, and the importance of family

Ray Rouse

Today's Golden age portrait is of the lovely Ray Rouse.

Ray is 92 & was born in Cooranbong 3/6/1931. Ray said he was born on Sister Connelly's veranda, as that's where all expectant women had to go to be seen. A doctor used to visit from Kurri Kurri once a week, Sister Connelly delivered all the babies in the area.

Sadly, Ray's mother died when he was 9 years old. Leaving behind 4 children. His father was an essential worker during the war working for an electricity company in Newcastle. So, he wasn't able to take any time off, or care for the children. The children were split up amongst family. Ray was raised by his Uncle Albert.

He recalled that being driven to his mother's funeral was the first time he had ever been in a car before. The image he holds in his hand, was a portrait his father had them take after his Mother died, & before they were all separated.

Cooranbong was quite a strict place to grow up due to the Seventh day Adventist population. No contact sports were allowed.

So, Ray found a love of horses & spent a lot of time riding at his grandfathers farm in Brunkerville.

Ray recalled wanting to compete in a picnic horse race at Brunkerville, & whilst riding one horse there & leading another, he encountered some angry bees, & was stung on the face.. therefore, unable to ride. He laughed as he told me, believing it was God punishing him for missing Sabbath school that day.

Ray did go on to become a racehorse trainer & played polo cross, as well as spell horses at his property. His last horse he owned ended up going to Singapore to race.

As he stood on my hill having the photos taken, he recalled as a child watching 30-50 Bullocks being taken in droves along what is now Freeman's drive. The sales were in Maitland, & they were taken all the way to Wyong to the butcher.

Ray left school at 15, he attended Cooranbong Public School. He said there was only one teacher to teach all of the students. He started work immediately as a labourer hand cutting feed to make hay.

Ray worked for Geoff & Peg Davis truck driving, Geoff tragically died at 32 years old, Ray stayed working for Peg, then eventually fell in love, & married Peg, Ray & Peg lived about three doors below, where Eatons is now on Freeman's drive Cooranbong, (used to be Barry Turners sawmill)

Ray & Peg owned 40 acres on Newport Rd before Sandy creek bridge, Ray & Peg bought 105 acres on Becks Rd Freeman’s Waterhole, the property was all overgrown, after many years of hard work, the property was immaculate.

When Ray & Peg finally retired, they moved to Bonnell's Bay, Peg passed away nearly 7 years ago, Ray still lives in their house. Ray didn't have any biological children of his own, but Peg had a daughter when they married.

As a side note.... Ray was talked into doing these photos by Peter (featured next to Ray in the photo with the red truck), who he told me he counts as the son he never had.

Peter's first job was working for Ray. Peter's father had died when he was 15, & his mother passed when he was 21.. He was the eldest of 11 children, & they were to be split up amongst family. Ray was instrumental in fighting with authorities to keep the kids together. He said he had been from a broken home, & didn't want the same for these kids. Thanks to him advocating for them, they were able to make arrangements for one of the sisters to take guardianship & get an orphan payment to help raise the children.

Thanks Ray, I know you were hesitant, but I appreciate you letting me capture you, & tell your story.

Dorothy Murdoch

Dorothy Murdoch, (Dot) aged 90. Born 5th Feb 1933 in North Queensferry Fife, Scotland.

Her father was born in Ireland and her mother was born in Edinburgh. She had 2 older sisters and 5 brothers.

The winters were cold, but the Summers they enjoyed going to the beach.

Started working as a shop assistant when she was 15 and the local pub, & also a paper mill.

She went on to marry a local footballer Davey Murdoch who she met when she was 20, from Crosshill Fife in 1953.

In 1958 they sailed to Australia to try their luck for a few years with no plan to stay. The voyage took 5 weeks, & Dot said she thoroughly enjoyed it.

Dot's Husband David worked in the Eveready Battery factory. Then later an air-conditioning company.

They lived in Botany in the original and famous “Sir Joseph Banks Hotel” until their first child was born in 1961 and they decided to stay. Dot said there were quite a lot of Scottish people who had also come to Australia living there at the time.

They went on to build a home in Liverpool NSW. Where they lived for over 40 years. They went on to have three daughters and then retired to the central coast in Woy Woy in 1992.

Dot returned to work after her youngest started school & worked for Parker Pens. She said she was part of the manufacturing & quality assurance division & used a magnifying glass to ensure each pen nib was perfectly aligned.

Dot lost her beloved Husband David when he was 69 & has been without him now for 28 years. She was grateful he was able to give all of their daughters away at their weddings before he passed.

Dot told me that she was on her way to hospital for one of her skin Melanoma checkups (she had quite a large one removed on her face) & was rushing from the train to the bus, when she tripped on a grate & dislocated & broke her arm.. When the ambulance arrived, they asked where she was headed to, & had a laugh when she said, she was actually headed to the hospital.

Dot has 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She enjoys her days having lunch out, going to the club, & a glass of wine (or two) a day.

Beryl & Barrie

Today I had the privilege of capturing Beryl & Barrie. Beryl recently turned 90, & Barrie will be 89 this year. They have been married for over 50 years.

They still live in their home of over 30 years together.

Parents to 4 children, with 11 grandchildren, & 8 great grandchildren. Barrie had some time in the army from age 17, while Beryl worked as a Nurse & in aged care for her career. Barrie's work took them to Western Australia with Hamersley Iron for a time, then with the RTA upon return to NSW.

I noticed the cross beryl was wearing around her neck & asked to take a photo of it in her hand. It was a gift from one of her daughters, bought in Italy.

Victoria

My second Golden age session I captured today was of the wonderful Victoria. She had such a huge amount of pictures from her past.. Even images of her parents & Husbands family. So much history!

Her Mum was quite theatrical & the family photo she had taken (before Victoria was born) Just had me absolutely mesmerised. She had the family in costume & styled for the pics, which I haven't seen before from that era.

Victoria said her Mother would have absolutely loved my studio & the dresses, & that she would be surely smiling down on her while she had her photo taken today.

Special thanks to Victoria's daughter & Fronditha Care for helping make this happen for her.

Victoria Helen Baraliakos

Born 20 May 1932, 20 minutes after her twin sister Elizabeth (Sophia).

The youngest of seven children (one boy and six girls).

Grew up in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.

Went to Randwick Girls High.

Worked at the Australian Golf Club, Dr Jacobi, Glo International and Martin Bright Steel and also “Kelly from the Telly”.

Married Lefty when she was only 17 – no wonder her family didn’t approve.

Spent a year in Greece in 1952 with Iphigenia as a one-year-old, living with in-laws where she no doubt learnt her culinary skills.

Moved to Oyster Bay with baby George and Iphigenia in about 1955– lived in the garage until the house was built – can’t have been easy as Leftery was away working on ships as an able seaman and when home, cracked sandstone and laboured extensively to clear the block and build a home for the family.

Baby Chrisanthi was born shortly after in the years building the brick home on the property.

In those years, landlords did not welcome families with children as tenants.

The laundry was in a separate outside shed and when the new automatic washing machine, a Bendix front loader came, the day was spent with a representative to explain how to use it!

‘Catch a Falling Star” by Perry Como played on the radio.

Milk was delivered as was the bread.

The refrigeration consisted of a freezer chest.

A large block of ice delivered regularly kept food cold.

The “Dunny Man“ came weekly to collect and leave a new toilet pan outside in the toilet shed near the laundry.

Vicky’s Greek mother, Chrisanthi was born in Izmir but left for Cairo with her mother and young brother when she saw trouble brewing. There she met Alan Bruton, who had stayed in Cairo after his service as an ANZAC. He was also in the Army band and played a number of wind instruments.

Allan was from New Zealand of Scottish and Irish descent. They married in Cairo and eventually moved to Australia, making babies all the way. This wasn’t a match made in heaven and Chrisanthi divorced Alan around the time Vicky and Sophia were born. So, she was raised by her very strong mother and grandmother.

Victoria’s Memories

I attended Crown Street Public with my twin sister Elizabeth (Betty).

We twins were separated due to Elizabeth being slower in her studies and her reliance on me, Victoria, to give her the answers for her work.

Sadly, Elizabeth passed away at the age of 38 from cancer.

My strengths at school were Spelling, Composition, Maths and a variety of crafts, with particular strength in Sewing.

I loved singing, dancing and would have loved to have been an actress.

I left school at the age of 15 and became a doctor’s receptionist which involved typing reports and accounts.

In my own words.

Life changed when I met Leftery at a Greek dance.

He told me right from the beginning that he wanted to marry me.

We had a lot of hardships but stuck by each other.

I found myself in Greece in 1952 with No 1 daughter, Iphigenia and Lefty was hoping to follow.

He was dissuaded by his parents and so after a year I returned to Australia.

Upon my return to Australia, I resolved that there would be no returning to Greece until my children were educated.

George and Chrisanthi soon followed Iphigenia to complete our family unit.

Our three children did us proud, achieving the results to become financially independent.

Over the years, I was blessed with six grandchildren and more recently, three great grandchildren.

I have also welcomed some lovely partners into my family.

Our home in Oyster Bay took a few years to complete with the bottom level completed in 5 years.

My children’s friends may remember the barbeques and bonfires on cracker nights, where we all had fun together.

An early street party if you will!!

Life in Greece. Around 38 years.

I loved the people, the way of life and most of all, to see how Leftery was so happy to return to his place of birth.

I have made some very good friends there, both socially and at the Senior Citizens Group, where I sang in a choir and danced traditional dancing which incorporated trips away to dance and sing.

I managed to retire in 1984 at the wee age of 52 to fulfill Lefty’s dream of returning to his homeland

I Liked it so much, that I decided to stay until 2022

I love to sing and have been blessed with a soprano voice

I have lived life in Greece enjoying the many wonderful aspects of the culture.

I returned to Australia due to Covid and a desire to be closer to my family.